Home > Opera Block Market now open to offer grocery items to downtown employees and residents

ANDRÉ B. LAIRD - Thursday, December 20, 2012 7:49 AM

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Justin Wall is the owner of Opera Block Market, located at 45 E. Market St., in Huntington. Wall says the historical significance of the location was instrumental in the name of the store. Photo by André B. Laird.

Playing a little off history, Huntington resident Justin Wall has opened the Opera Block Market at 45 E. Market St., in Huntington.

"In the late 1800s to early 1900s, this block was known as the Opera Block," Wall says.

"There were a lot of high-end stores and we decided to stay true to that history."

Wall adds that an opera house was located above the store.

When deciding to open the store, Wall points to several reasons.

"There was a lot of desire expressed by people who live and work downtown to have a store of this kind in the downtown area," he says.

"There are not a lot of places you can go into, except a bar, to grab a pop or snack."

He adds that with so many businesses in the area - along with two Senior living communities, and another being planned - the store's location was ideal.

Wall says he also examined the findings of the Ball State Community Improvement Study, conducted by the city, and found that many residents were interested in knowing where their products come from.

"We developed a ‘40 Within 40' program, which basically means that we are committing to finding and carrying 40 products in the store that are made within 40 miles of here," he states.

"Currently we have Glancy's Popcorn, from Decatur; farm-fresh and cage-free eggs from Parlor City Poultry, in Bluffton; and meat from Didier Meats in Fort Wayne, with more to come."